By DAVID NAGEL
BERWICK has announced itself as a real contender for this year’s Casey Cardinia league premiership after a hard-earned 27-point victory over Cranbourne at Casey Fields on Saturday.
It was the Wickers best win under second-year coach Rhys Nisbet and the first time they had beaten either Cranbourne or Narre Warren since a 51-point win over the Magpies in the 2011 Qualifying Final.
The story early was Cranbourne’s intent, both verbally and physically, to rough up Berwick’s high-prized recruit Aaron Purvis. The Eagles were relentless with their attack as they hit the solidly built midfielder with everything but the kitchen sink.
First quarter highlights included the battle in the ruck between Jake Gains and Michael Boland while speed-merchants Tom Brennan and Ryan Jones scorched centre wing.
It was the Eagles by 18 points at quarter time with spear-head Marc Holt having three on the board.
“The positive, the big one that we’ve got to take, is that when we actually play football, when we want to run and use each other by hand … the positive is that they cannot go with you,” Nisbet yelled at the first break.
Berwick gained the ascendency in the second quarter with Jordy Andrews slotting two inside 10 minutes. Purvis and Madi Andrews – the Wickers distributors- gave their runners first use of the ball. Three goals in red-time, including two to Mitch Johnson, gave the visitors a 10-point edge at the main break.
The story of the second half was that only one scoring shot was registered into a now stiff breeze. The score, a goal on the three-quarter time siren, to Johnson, was a real momentum swinger after Cranbourne wasted opportunities, kicking 4.6 to 1.0 for the quarter.
Cranbourne was brave in the last, but Berwick’s running ability finally cracked them, hitting the front at the 16-minute mark and running away with a comfortable victory. The two J’s, Johnson and Jordy, slotted four each for the winners while youngsters in Gains, Brennan, and Jake Yields didn’t shirk an issue all day.
Holt finished with five, and Michael Theodoridis three for the Eagles, while Jones, Bee-Hugo and Max Gearon– who recovered from a quiet first half– were all solid contributors.
A classic nine-goal second quarter from Beaconsfield proved the difference in an otherwise dull affair against ROC.
Only 16 goals were scored in the Eagles 65-point victory, nine of those coming in a 30-minute display of sustained brilliance.
Kris Fletcher, Troy McDermott and Josh Dodsworth kicked multiple goals for the Eagles, who shared things around with nine players contributing to their 13-goal effort. Daniel Mislicki and Scott Meyer were others to shine.
Narre Warren’s legacy continues to grow after the Magpies chalked up their 40th consecutive win with a 129-point belting of Keysborough at Fox Road.
The Magpies defence was superb, Nick Scanlon, Ryan Morrison, Ben King and Lee Boyle nullifying their opponents and providing plenty of drive forward. But it was in the front half where the damage was done, Kerem Baskaya at his strong-marking best with eight goals, while Justin Marriott was dangerous with four. Geoff Humphreys slotted three for the Burra.
A new-look Doveton wore its strip clash with pride in a 48-point win over Hampton Park.
The Doves also unveiled renovations to their spiritual home at Robinson Oval as they marched to their second win of the season and fourth place on the ladder. Simon Black was the only player on the ground to kick more than one goal, bagging three, while Ryan Pearson and Phil Nanfra were effective four-quarter contributors.
In the final game of the round, Pakenham came from 14 points down at the final break to roll Tooradin by 28 points at Toomuc Reserve.
The send-off of Adam Splatt at the end of the third term changed the complexity of the match; the Lions runners cutting lose with a confidence-boosting seven-goal final quarter. Sam Blackwood continues to emerge as a star of the future while Daniel Fry, with four, and Russ Lehman, three, hit the scoreboard hard.
